The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, December 12, 2024 arraigned the duo of Ekpe Anayaoha Okoronkwo and Umeonuoha Onyinye, staff of one of the new generation banks, before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State for allegedly selling newly-minted N500, 000. 00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).

They were arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on currency racketeering to the tune of N500, 000. 00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).

The lone count charge reads: “That you, Ekpe Anayaoha Okoronkwo and Umeonuoha Onyinye, sometime in October 2024 at Enugu, Enugu state, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, did sell a total sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000. 00) mints in Two Hundred Naira Notes (N200) denominations, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria to one Husseini Ibrahim and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act”.

The first defendant (Okoronkwo) pleaded guilty to the charge while Onyinye pleaded not guilty.

In view of their pleas, , counsel to the EFCC and Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Rotimi Ajobiewe, prayed the court for a short date to review the facts of the case, regarding the first defendant. “In respect of the second defendant, we pray for a date for trial to enable the prosecution to prove its case”.

However, counsel to the second defendant, C. N. Agama prayed the court to remand Onyinye at the EFCC custody, pending the hearing of bail application.

Justice Umar thereafter adjourned the matter to January 15, 2025 for hearing of bail application for Onyinye and for conviction and sentencing of Okoronkwo. They were remanded at the Enugu State Correctional facility.

The defendants were arrested on November 15, 2024 at their workplace located at 18 Okpara Avenue, Enugu State, following actionable intelligence linking them to the sale of Naira mints in Enugu State metropolis.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the defendants allegedly sold a total sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000. 00) mints in Two Hundred Naira Notes (N200) denominations, to one Husseini Ibrahim.

A series of fire in Minna, Niger State capital has left traders and business owners with losses, exposing gaps in emergency response and community relations.

At the Gwari Market, fire destroyed shops and goods worth millions of naira. The fire occurred in the morning when traders were opening their shops. The reason for the fire has not been ascertained.

Another fire occurred at Tunga, opposite the GTbank and behind a Motel, resulting in property damage, including a furniture store, a gas cylinder shop, and parts of the motel.

The fire would have been subdued, but for youths who obstructed firefighters attempting to control the blaze.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fire service was contacted immediately the fire started, but their late arrival angered the youth, who stoned the firefighters while chanting “ba mu so” (we don’t want you). The aggression forced the firefighters to flee for safety, leaving residents to battle the inferno.

Community members attempted to extinguish the fire with limited resources, including a water tanker from a nearby construction company. However, the absence of proper equipment and the fire’s intensity resulted in extensive damage.

Eyewitnesses suggested the delay may have been caused by ongoing road construction hindering access, urg ing patience and cooperation with emergency responders.

“The youth’s actions only escalated the situation,” one observer noted. “We must work together and exercise restraint during emergencies to avoid worsening tragedies,” one of the eyewitnesses said.

Two persons have been confirmed dead after a truck suffered brake failure and rammed into several vehicles at Powerline by Cele Bus Stop, Ita-Oluwo, Ikorodu in Lagos state on Sunday, December 15.

In a statement released, the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, says the tragic incident led to the rescue of two individuals trapped in the wreckage, while two others were recovered lifeless. Adebayo said all victims were immediately conveyed to the General Hospital, Ikorodu, where the survivors are currently receiving medical care.

‘’Preliminary investigations revealed that the loaded container truck suffered a brake failure while allegedly attempting to evade a revenue collector in pursuit. This mechanical failure triggered a catastrophic chain of events, including collisions with other vehicles and damage to nearby buildings.”he said

Adebayo mentioned that LASTMA’s rapid and coordinated response, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Fire Service, and personnel from the Nigerian Army’s 174 Battalion, was instrumental in the rescue efforts. LASTMA officials promptly cordoned off the accident site using caution tape to safeguard the public and facilitate the operations of emergency responders.